Leader's message - Friday 29 August 2025

This week, I had the pleasure of visiting residents who have recently moved into new homes at Suffolk Court and Little Gearies

It was fantastic to see how they are settling in and to hear firsthand about the positive impact that good-quality council housing is having on their lives. Providing safe, modern, and affordable homes is hugely important to me, and these developments show what can be achieved when we invest in our housing stock. We have 159 more brand new affordable council homes being built at Loxford Lane right now.

I also met with officials this week to reiterate the case for fair funding – not just for Redbridge, but for local government as a whole. Councils across the country are facing increasing pressures, and we must secure the resources needed to deliver the services our residents rely on. I will continue to push for a fair deal that reflects the needs of our borough and more effectively supports the essential work we do every day.
 
I joined students at Mayfield School as they collected their GCSE results, and I would like to congratulate all our young people on their outstanding achievements. Whether they are moving on to sixth form, college, apprenticeships, or work, they should be proud of their hard work and determination. Our schools continue to deliver fantastic outcomes, and that’s thanks to the dedication of pupils, teachers, and families across Redbridge.
 

Finally, last Friday, I visited the Goodmayes Lane allotments, where I was given a guided tour by the wonderful Jane and met with allotment holders. You can watch a short video It was inspiring to see the excellent work going on and the sense of community these spaces create. We are committed to protecting and expanding allotment provision, which is why we’ve marked out an area on the Fairlop Masterplan for a brand-new site. Allotments are not just about growing food – they promote wellbeing, sustainability, and bring people together. You can read more about the Our Future Fairlop Masterplan.
 
We always need your help to keep Redbridge safe, clean, and at its best. If you spot fly-tipping, graffiti, or other environmental issues, please report them to us directly using the Love Clean Streets app or on the council’s website.

We can’t be everywhere at once, so quick reporting allows us to act faster and maintain the high standards we all want to see. Thank you to everyone who already uses these tools. The more people who get involved, the stronger and more vibrant our borough will be.

 As always, thank you, and I look forward to sharing what I’ve been up to with you over the next two weeks.
 
Cllr Kam Rai
Leader of Redbridge Council